Family owned businesses are a powerful force in the American economy. According to a recent report from the Family Business Alliance, family owned businesses make up around 90 percent of all U.S. businesses and employ more than half of the country’s workforce. That’s a huge percentage, and it speaks to their importance. As these business owners can attest, it’s not just products and services that make them so unique, but also a blend of vision, values, drive and unwavering pride.
DBC Remodeling & Construction, owned by Doug and Andrea Bierer of Millcreek Township, has been providing professional remodeling services in the tri-state region since 2007. Doug leads the construction side of the business, while Andrea is the director of marketing. The couple and their DBC crew have accomplished a lot over nearly two decades in operation.
“We’re incredibly proud to see our company vision coming to life — creating a business where our clients, our team members and God are honored, and where joy is woven into every step of the home improvement journey,” explains Doug Bierer. “Watching lives improve — on job sites, in homes and within our team — is the most fulfilling part of what we do.”
For family businesses, innovation also plays a critical role in long-term success. A 2022 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that family businesses were 25 percent more likely to introduce new products or services, which is often attributed to a sense of ownership and accountability family members feel for their business.
Since 1975, for instance, the family owned JV Manufacturing Co., Inc. has been producing “the better carbide dies” out of its facility in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. “We are proud of continuing our founder John Vecchi’s legacy that was built on the foundation of safety, quality, family, commitment and innovation,” according to owners Ryan and Melissa Vecchi. “We’ve grown within the tool and die industry, but our values have never changed. What truly sets us apart is how we combine craftmanship, skills and precision with forward-thinking technology to deliver smarter and stronger solutions for American manufacturing.”
For the Vecchis, JV Manufacturing’s team isn’t just a workforce, they are a part of the family. “Together, we’re proud to be building better manufacturing solutions right here in Natrona Heights, rooted in quality and driven by purpose.”
Many family businesses also share deep- rooted connections with their work families and their local communities.
At Filtech Inc. in Munhall, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, family is at the core of everything the company does. The filtration specialist company was founded by Harry Elinsky Sr. in 1969.
“We treat every team member — and their families — as part of our own. We take great pride in the strong family culture we’ve built, staying true to our values while fostering trust, loyalty and lasting relationships with both our team members and customers,” says Filtech’s Operations Manager Maggie Elinsky. “Our strong family dynamic has not only shaped our workplace, but also strengthened our commitment to long-term growth and stability.”
“Working alongside family has deepened our bonds and reinforced the values that define us,” says Elinsky. “We’re proud to carry on the Filtech legacy and continue building a business that honors our past while paving the way for future generations.”
Another example of such pride is longtime floral shop Ehrman’s Allburn Florist in Erie. The shop is owned by Christopher J. Ehrman and his sister Melissa Roberts, who inherited the business from their father, John. The Allburn family started the business 125 years ago.
“I’m proud of the opportunity to work with my parents, sister, wife, sons, niece and nephew over the years, along with our team, who feel like family,” explains Ehrman.
For generations, Allburn’s products and services have become an important part of events and special occasions, from birthdays and weddings to funerals and celebrations of life. “It is an honor to serve the families of Erie in both happy and sad times,” says Ehrman.
The owners of HRI Commercial Food Service & Red Letter Hospitality (Skunk & Goat Tavern and The Cork) are also a multi-generational entrepreneurial family in northwest Pennsylvania. “As a parent, it’s a dream come to work alongside our children and watch them grow and make a difference in our community,” explains owner Billy Lewis. “Without them and our employees, both HRI Commercial Food Service & Red Letter Hospitality, would not be where we are today.”
Lewis is equally proud of the businesses that the family has owned in the past and being part of the revitalization that is moving the area forward. “We love the renaissance that is currently going on in Erie, and we remain focused on doing our part in making the best it can be!”
